Opinion & Analysis

3 Reasons you should watch more women’s golf on TV

Published

6 years ago

Dec 19, 2017

If you play golf, you probably watch golf on TV, too. For most, that probably means tuning into men’s events, or at least the four major championships.

But I have a question for you: Why do you watch men’s golf?

It’s completely understandable to want to watch the best and most popular golfers in the world. It’s exciting to watch the golfers you know and love, and witness them blasting 300-yard drives. That being said, if you’re looking to improve your own game, I suggest flipping on an LPGA Tour event, at least once in a while. The players are precise, consistent, and dominant in totally different ways — ways that likely look more comparable to your own golf game. Want to know why? Here are three reasons you should pick up the slack when it comes to watching women’s golf.

1) Shotmaking

LPGA Tour courses (based on their average length) require shots similar to the ones played by the average golfer. While impressive, it’s challenging for me to relate to players in the men’s game who hit a 9-iron almost 200 yards. Most of us don’t have that shot in our bag. It’s more beneficial to me, and to most average male golfers, to see how LPGA golfers manage a golf course and the various shots. For instance, most golfers cannot go for the green on par-5 in two from 290 yards, so what yardage are the women laying up to? How are they attacking a 320-yard hole that isn’t drivable for them, or how do they deal with the second shot from 220 yards on a long par-4?

You can learn a lot from LPGA players in how they maneuver around a golf course while hitting the golf ball similar distances that you do.

2) Swing Speeds

With the average swing speed on the PGA Tour being 113 mph with a driver, it’s a pretty tough thing to duplicate – even for the very low-handicapped amateur player. The average swing speed for a 14-handicap male player is around 93 mph, which is almost identical to the average speed of an LPGA Tour player (94 mph). There’s a rhythm and a tempo that comes along with that speed, which the everyday player can identify with. Next time you tune into the LPGA Tour, put a golf club in your hand and mimic their tempo; this may help you smooth out your transition, or learn to slow down altogether!

3) Accuracy

Professional women golfers play the game how most people want to play (or, how most people should try to play). They are unbelievably accurate, rarely hit it out of play and are very consistent. These players will reinforce the lessons amateur golfers receive from their instructors. Every time I turn on coverage, I am amazed by the course management skills of every player. They rarely find themselves in a precarious position. I think every amateur golfer’s game would improve by channeling some of the accuracy of these women. The bomb-and-gouge style of play often seen on the PGA Tour is effective, but only if you have the strength and speed to escape from the rough or other difficult situations that style leads to.

Let’s be clear: This is not to say that the phenomenal talent that you see week-in and week-out on the men’s tour isn’t worth watching – it is. But if you’re a golfer interested in all aspects of the game (and bettering the parts that you struggle with), you should be flipping on women’s golf coverage, as well. If you’ve got a tee time the next day and don’t have time to get or watch a lesson? Watch a few holes of that week’s women’s event. It’s important to absorb information to improve your game. The men may have the daring feats that everyone wants to pull off, but the women have the game that will translate easier to yours. Do yourself, and your game, a favor and check them out.

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Liz Fradkin

Liz (Carl) Fradkin is the Championship Manager for the U.S. Women's Amateur Championship, Team Manager for the Curtis Cup and Women's World Amateur Teams and a PGA-USGA Rules of Golf workshop instructor. Prior to joining the USGA, Liz was captain of the Rutgers University women's varsity golf team.

68 Comments

Randy Wall

Jan 29, 2018 at 4:33 pm

I enjoy watching the women play as much as the men. I think they play courses smarter, and have helped me to have good golf IQ.

Reply Report comment
- Tim
  
  Nov 12, 2022 at 11:07 am
  
  The coverage is SO much better!!!!!
  
  Reply Report comment
Stephen Finley

Jan 9, 2018 at 12:27 am

Male tour players don’t actually hit the ball “almost 200 yards with a 9-iron.” Nowhere near it under normal conditions. Check USGA numbers for average 5-iron length on tour.

Aside from that, there are more reasons than “they’re a scaled-down version of the men’s tour, and the scaling down allows lower-quality players to relate to them and model their games after them.” In fact, I’d say that’s not even true. Anywhere near the top of the women’s game you’re going to see women hitting it 260-270 and up, often 300 or more when conditions are right. It’s unbelievable how far they hit it now, often within a club or club and a half of the guys. And the skill level is just way, _way_ ahead of where it was when I was a kid. It used to be that on the rare LPGA event you saw televised, you might see a couple of shots close to the pin all day. Maybe four or five. Today, it’s not unusual at all to see a three-player group with three shots by the hole, or two out of three. You’ll see more shots tight in half an hour now than you used to see in an entire round of coverage 20 or 30 years ago, more in one tournament than you used to see all year.

As for having 290 to the green on a par-5, I’ve actually seen more than a couple of women pull _that_ off. Might take slightly favorable conditions, but the days of making a living on the LPGA tour driving it 240 and hitting 210-yard 3-woods, trying to keep it around par with a tidy short game, etc., are way over.

I’m not disparaging the women in previous generations — there have always been great players out there — but the strength and speed now, and the level of play, is just incredible. The PGA Tour is always talking about how it’s the “greatest generation ever” (not even close) and how “these guys are good” (they are, but not as insanely perfect as they’re marketed to be), but it’s the _women_ who have made the biggest strides.

Reply Report comment
JD

Jan 7, 2018 at 10:15 pm

If you can tell the difference between a 350 yard drive and 250 through your t.v., you’re probably in the wrong line of work. Women’s golf looks exactly the same on t.v. and I definitely enjoy watching it so long as the coverage is good.

Reply Report comment
CrashTestDummy

Jan 5, 2018 at 9:03 pm

The women on the LPGA are so good. I think a lot of people don’t realize how good they are. They are shooting in the 60s regularly at pretty tough tracks.

Try shooting under par at any of your tough local tracks with total yardage of 6000-6700 yards. Not many can say that they can do that.

Reply Report comment
Bruce Ferguson

Jan 4, 2018 at 11:08 am

I have to wonder how LPGA events are covered in the Asian television markets, because in recent years, there has been such a dominance of Asian tour players. I know at least on KBS (the Korean television channel I occasionally watched through a former satellite provider), they made a big deal of LPGA golf tournament results in their sports segments. There seems to be keen public interest in women’s golf.

I hope that The Golf Channel and network television would commit to providing more LPGA content to expose the game to more American women, and thereby increase overall viewership. There are enough empty voids in Golf Channels line-up as it is. Instead of running Tin Cup and Bagger Vance re-runs hundreds of times, why not run women’s golf features, like exclusive interviews, or a show featuring a female “Feherty” (Christina Kim comes to mind)?

Reply Report comment
BigSculpin

Jan 3, 2018 at 12:53 pm

I would love to watch more LPGA golf but I would have to get the GOLF Channel to do so.

Reply Report comment
- Stephen Finley
  
  Jan 9, 2018 at 12:33 am
  
  Yeah, that’s a shame. They deserve a wider audience, with the level of play today.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Mike
  
  Jan 23, 2018 at 8:14 pm
  
  I have the golf channel & would love to watch more women’s golf. They really don’t show much.
  
  Reply Report comment
Nick Nack

Dec 30, 2017 at 6:46 pm

The 4th reason:
Women’s golf needs more viewers because no one is interested.

Reply Report comment
Kirk Dunn

Dec 27, 2017 at 11:34 pm

Way way ahead of you….been doing this fir qyite awhile….they play same ydg courses as most of us do too

Reply Report comment
- steve2
  
  Dec 30, 2017 at 4:50 pm
  
  …. and I can think of another additional 3 reasons to watch more women’s golf on TV.
  
  Reply Report comment
Mike Eovino

Dec 20, 2017 at 9:26 pm

Liz – You nailed it. As the father of two female junior golfers (and big Lexi Thompson fans), we watch plenty of LPGA golf. They’re a lot better than I am from the tees I play from.

Reply Report comment
- Klaus
  
  Dec 25, 2017 at 1:41 am
  
  …. and you won’t see a LPGA player pregnant 6 months and trying to swing a golf club…. but I see plenty of men with pot bellies pregnant with fat trying to play golf. It’s hideous and pathetic.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - peter
    
    Dec 25, 2017 at 1:42 pm
    
    …. ouch!
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Stephen Finley
    
    Jan 9, 2018 at 12:32 am
    
    Where are you seeing “plenty of men with pot bellies” playing professional golf at approximately the same ages as the women?
    
    Reply Report comment
Luke keefner

Dec 20, 2017 at 5:15 pm

I like watching LPGA events but our tv coverage sucks in the USA. To many commercials, too many talking heads to many “special stories” to plow through. It’s as if the networks think golf isn’t exciting enough so they have to pump it up somehow. Like baseball. I prefer watching the European tour, I can’t pronounce many of the names, but the coverage is all about the golf, and you can tell the announcers love and play the game. And I don’t have to hear about what college the players went to and how HUGE of a fan they are of there college football teams. Over and over and over. I don’t care!

Reply Report comment
- Luke keefner
  
  Dec 20, 2017 at 5:17 pm
  
  Correction “ their college football teams”. Sorry
  
  Reply Report comment
- peter
  
  Dec 25, 2017 at 1:45 pm
  
  I mute my tv when watching golf, tennis, basketball, soccer, and football. It’s amazing how much better it is without the sound of screaming fans and nonsensical commentary. I can see what is happening without distractions…. and when the commercial comes on I stand up and stretch for flexibility.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Bert
  
  Dec 26, 2017 at 6:14 pm
  
  Judy Rankin and er talking points are a huge distraction in addition to the excessive babbling by others.
  
  Reply Report comment
Larry Schmidt

Dec 20, 2017 at 3:08 pm

I would love to watch the ladies play this great game but when 95% of all womens golf is only on the golf channel and only the majors on national TV it’s kind of hard to watch. If you want to grow the game then get the game on national television.

Reply Report comment
Joro

Dec 20, 2017 at 2:12 pm

My ex Daughter in Law caddied for years on the tour for Faldo, Stenson, and others and when asked she caddied for Michelle Wie in a few events. After caddying for Wie she said that men should be watching the women more because it is more realistic to most men in distance, management, and swings. She said the men are too unrealistic to be watching the big hits and long irons and play the game they can’t.

Great article.

Reply Report comment
- Peter Douglas
  
  Dec 21, 2017 at 7:36 am
  
  Her name wouldn’t happen to be Fannie would it?
  
  Reply Report comment
Razor

Dec 20, 2017 at 12:53 pm

Great article and rings true. I’m sure the younger golfers think this article is totally wrong. They just love smashing the ball. I’m in my 50’s and out drive most of the 25-35 year olds in the club. I’ve always said watch the LPGA they are great players and like your article states. More close to an average golfers swing speed and distance. Played in a KPMG Major Pro Am and ALL the girls were super friendly and totally respected the amateur golfer. One even gave me her range spot! Yes. They are easy on the eyes. But they have game and can totally kick our butts. They are good. Please watch and learn how to shoot lower scores.

Reply Report comment
- peter
  
  Dec 25, 2017 at 1:47 pm
  
  What do you “watch” when looking at LPGA players? Be specific.
  
  Reply Report comment
bonifacj

Dec 20, 2017 at 12:46 pm

Don’t watch a lot of golf, but love watching LPGA pros swing. In large measure, swing tempos just gorgeous. Similar to watching Els swing.

Reply Report comment
- stevek
  
  Dec 20, 2017 at 1:49 pm
  
  I occasionally like to watch LPGA players to study how they develop their kinetic energy chain from the ground up to their shoulder torque rotation.
  Their swings are very smooth and slower than the men’s swings but it’s easier to see their legs, hips and shoulder rotation mechanics… because the women wear shorts and skirts that expose their leg and hip action.
  Most don’t wear baggy pants like the men so it’s easier to see their kinetic chain developing. The ladies come in different shapes and sizes so it’s interesting to see how they manage their swing mechanics.
  
  Reply Report comment
Skip

Dec 20, 2017 at 12:34 pm

I watch the LPGA, but my 170mph driver ball speed doesn’t really translate well to their games. Still, can really appreciate the level of skill.

Reply Report comment
- DougE
  
  Jan 27, 2018 at 8:53 am
  
  Not sure I understand. What about the part of the game where you have to get the ball in the hole? All the swing speed in the world doesn’t do that. This game is about accuracy so much more than it is about distance, at least in my opinion. Sure distances helps, but it is not the be all end all. I’m guessing you don’t hit 100% of your fairways and greens with all that distance and speed, so how can you not relate to playing like the women do around the greens, and on approach shots for that matter. I don’t get your logic. No disrespect meant.
  
  Reply Report comment
Taylor

Dec 20, 2017 at 12:27 pm

Women golfers are outstanding players. But they play like robots, there’s no excitement or fist pumps or any emotion.

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Dave Freeman

Dec 20, 2017 at 12:07 pm

I agree Liz. When watching women’s golf, I have always been impressed with how good their swings are. They seem to move the way instructional videos teach you to move.

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Chris

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:59 am

Are you kidding?? Who watches women’s golf for the golf??

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Jack Nash

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:49 am

I watch to count how many caddies line up a supposed Pro. I also enjoy using my sun dial to time the decision making process before an actual shot is hit. There’s Maybe 15 females worth watching on the LPGA that have a game. Other than that it’s just a fashion show.

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frank cichon

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:47 am

I try to watch the LPGA. It is TOO SLOW! The odd time when the camera picks them up running from a tee box…it makes me laugh. Why not enforce the rules and save 30-45 minutes per round. Regarding the article…..I do not recall seeing ( in this century) any LPGA player hitting a 200 yard second shot to any par 4 (is possible if she mishit her drive) Again life is too short to spend watching the LPGA. Hope Santa brings me a new PVR as I wore mine out watching golf on TV

Reply Report comment
- Bert
  
  Dec 26, 2017 at 6:18 pm
  
  Very slow play!
  
  Reply Report comment
Big Wally

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:45 am

The women do not hit it closer and their short games are not nearly as good as the men and their putting is not as good.
I tune in but it is like watching paint dry. The are slow and humorless.

Reply Report comment
Marc

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:42 am

Liz:
I volunteer at an LPGA event every year. My assignment is the range. The range is like getting a backstage pass to rock concert. I see everything. Even though there are women on the LPGA tour who are very long, there is also many players who hit drives less than 250 yards. The difference is their wedge play. It’s uncanny how good they are from 125 yards and in. And the reason they are so good is that they PRACTICE! They practice for hours and hit hundreds of balls. And they are extremely nice to the fans.

Reply Report comment
Brenden Grant

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:40 am

Hey all: Great article Liz spot on. I’ve been saying for years That GolfWRX should do more LPGA witb and not just from tournament winners since their bag setups just like the way they play a course is more like how most amateurs play. Thanks…????????????????

Reply Report comment
fran

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:38 am

Great article ! I would watch the LPGA more if they showed the analytics and visual track and trace data that is shown for the PGA players. It`s a little boring listening to the announcers when the visual data is so much more compelling and informative.

Reply Report comment
Gregory M Haney

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:38 am

I am an avid fan of the LPGA and have been to many of their tournaments both overseas and in the USA. Having said that I have numerous complaints. First the TV coverage is less than ideal ( I am being kind here!) as are a few of the announcers. I would like to watch some golf with a few commercials in between instead of Watching so many commercials with a little golf in between!! Here is what I often see; three putts, one swing, go to commercial. Two putts two swings and go to commercial. A number of the tournaments are so bad with this that I turn it off. And most of the coverage is just about putting. With certain announcers, I hit the mute every time they speak. I won’t go into names but some of the announcers should have been gone a long, long time ago. Kudos to Kay Cockerill and Karen Stupples and a few others.

I have measured several tournaments. Most all of the time the distances are not what their score card is showing, i.e they are shorter on many holes.

In many of the tournaments I have been to, there is often a long gap between the next group, in other words you can sit on a hole and there is no one in sight for some time.

Yes, the PGA is guilty of many of the same things. I was just watching a rerun of the HSBC Champions from China this past October. In the 4th round, it took 2:45 minutes to play 9 holes!!! And that is with a two some or three some. No lost balls, no lengthy rulings, some wind. Pro golfers who smoke it long and very straight for the most part. 2:45 for 9 holes is insane!! I know the PGA issued its’ first penalty this past season since when was it, 1999!!!!!

I know the coverage of the LPGA does not have as many cameras as for the PGA, but I would like to see more of the other golfers as well instead of watching the leaders do 18″ tap ins!!!!!!

So, my summary is that if you want better exposure and more people to watch, IMPROVE THE TV COVERAGE (and announcers). Many other male watchers that I speak to about this absolutely agree with me. I met Mike Whan several years ago, twice at tournaments in Asia and would sure like to share my thoughts with him :-).

Reply Report comment
Gord

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:37 am

I tell my friends all time – if you want to improve, watch the LPGA. Watch them in slow motion to see how a 100lb woman can hit the ball 260yds – straight. Most men that I play with can’t do that – me included!

Reply Report comment
Rob

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:19 am

Liz, this article is spot on. Well done!!

Reply Report comment
Alphonso Dubachette

Dec 20, 2017 at 11:09 am

Great article Liz! I couldn’t agree more that as amateurs we all should watch the LPGA and how they use course management. My wife has asked me why I watch the women play, and I’ve given her the same answer. Realistically they play similar to us so I like to see what yardages they’re playing and clubs they use. Of course I watch the PGA, but if I could hit my 7-iron 200yds+ I wouldn’t be a 12.5 handicap. This was probably one the best and most relevant articles I’ve read in a long time.

Reply Report comment
CB

Dec 20, 2017 at 10:28 am

This article is absolutely true. Sure I watch the PGA, who doesnt. But the LPGA (and champions IMO) are better to watch if you are trying to learn and take something away. The precision is amazing.

Nice writeup.

Reply Report comment
Rene

Dec 20, 2017 at 9:15 am

FInally! I can convince my wife that I watch the LPGA because of their game, not their long legs and short skirts! 😀

Reply Report comment
BB

Dec 20, 2017 at 8:00 am

Awesome write up. Best one to me.

Reply Report comment
Peter Douglas

Dec 20, 2017 at 4:26 am

I think they dumb it down to much. Watch the clubs they hit most of the time!
LPGA stands for (Lob Wedge, Pitching Wedge, Gap Wedge….all day)!
Some very good players but pace of play is tedious.

Reply Report comment
- Jack Gallagher
  
  Dec 20, 2017 at 12:26 pm
  
  Good point Peter Douglas, if you mean the tournament organizers being the ones who dumb it down. Regardless of gender, they shouldn’t set up any course with par fours that are reachable with a driver and a wedge (of any variety) with the exception of the drive-able par four holes.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Skip
  
  Dec 20, 2017 at 12:31 pm
  
  LPGA, lol good one.
  
  Reply Report comment
TA

Dec 20, 2017 at 3:39 am

T, A, & L, right?

Reply Report comment
t

Dec 20, 2017 at 1:50 am

reason #1 need a nap
Reason #2 need a second nap
Reason #3 need a third nap

Reply Report comment
The dude

Dec 19, 2017 at 9:41 pm

Good article….something that is known, but worth reinforcing

Reply Report comment
Davemac

Dec 19, 2017 at 8:45 pm

Slow play is the bane of professional golf, the game is almost unwatchable. Unfortunately the ladies are ever SLOWER than the men!
The sooner they ban caddies from lining a player up along with the huge green reading books the better.

Talented yes, more relevant yes, watchable no.

Reply Report comment
Bruce Ferguson

Dec 19, 2017 at 7:50 pm

Agree on all three points. I wish that more LPGA events were broadcast . . . not only because I can relate more to their swing speed and distance, but to expose golf to more women. I think women who know very little about the game assume it’s “a man’s game”.

Reply Report comment
Scott

Dec 19, 2017 at 6:59 pm

Totally agree and I’ve said your comments for years. LPGA players hit distance more in line with me. They’re shot making is amazing. Don’t get me wrong, watching the men on PGA hit a 350 yd is impressive but I’ll never do that. I walked the course one day during us open at trump and was amazed the distance and shot making I was seeing. Lexi crushed a drive I thought the cover came off the ball. Tremendous article.

Reply Report comment
james

Dec 19, 2017 at 6:19 pm

You refer a lot to you…..Who is you, as this article is being read by many different people.

Reply Report comment
- The dude
  
  Dec 19, 2017 at 9:38 pm
  
  The average golfer you dolt!…..
  
  Reply Report comment
David Alan Cheever

Dec 19, 2017 at 5:40 pm

I agree completely. I can relate so much more to how the ladies hit it. I went to an LPGA event once and was amazed how 80% of them landed their tee shots in an area the size of a blanket. well, almost, but damn.

Watching the men is dull, frankly. Same swing on all of them. 9 million yard drives. yawn..

Reply Report comment
SK

Dec 19, 2017 at 5:38 pm

I love to watch the ladies swing, particularly if they are wearing shorts or skirts and I can see their bare legs and their hip action going into their shoulder rotation.
I’m not being sexist, I’m just saying that the male golfers are fully clothed and it’s difficult to analyze their leg and hip action under their pant legs.
The golfswing kinetic energy chain starts at the feet and legs, and then into hip and shoulder rotation. This is where most of the ‘power’ is generated from the mass momentum of large body parts.
Lady pros come in many sizes and shapes and their ability to swing a golf club is openly revealed if you can see the body unencumbered by baggy clothing. It’s good viewing if you know what to look for in the golfswing kinetic energy chain.

Reply Report comment
Jonathan

Dec 19, 2017 at 4:40 pm

I agree with all your points. If given the choice between LPGA and Champions Tour I always watch LPGA. Competition is typically very tight on LPGA, which makes it enjoyable to watch.

Reply Report comment
MRC

Dec 19, 2017 at 4:15 pm

Well said Liz. I watch LPGA events all the time. Rhythm and tempo is something I struggle with…..No better way to improve than to watch the LPGA.

Reply Report comment
Rob

Dec 19, 2017 at 4:03 pm

Watching a few holes however, will take you about 3 hours as the pace of play is an embarrassment… and caddies lining players up! What is that. Otherwise, lpga/let tours are brilliant.

Reply Report comment
Jim

Dec 19, 2017 at 3:48 pm

This is a fantastic article and i couldn’t agree more about the women’s game. They have similar carry distances to men but are just phenomenal in every aspect of the game. I really enjoy watching them but my only gripe is that the LPGA plays course way too short. They “say” they play at 6500 yards but never do and they always play them super firm and fast and seem to be hitting wedges all day outside of the par three. These women are talented, let them hit some longer clubs!

Reply Report comment
- ChristopherKee
  
  Dec 19, 2017 at 5:06 pm
  
  I agree here. Ariya Jutanugarn plays an iron off the tee 99% of the time. She doesn’t even have a driver in her bag. I know golf shouldn’t be about “distance” but it shouldn’t be about just wedges either.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Andrew Pavlov
    
    Dec 20, 2017 at 10:12 am
    
    Golf is about getting the ball in the hole in the least number of strokes possible period and nothing else. Whatever clubs someone uses to do so are the right ones.
    
    Reply Report comment
    - ChristopherKee
      
      Dec 20, 2017 at 11:51 am
      
      You’re correct. And I don’t care if they use a putter from tee to green to be honest, it would probably be entertaining to watch. My observation of the club used off the tee by Ariya was to the challenge, or lack of, some of the girls have off the tee on the course.
      
      I feel a lot of them are way better than the tour is showcasing. I would prefer the easier courses to be a bit longer to challenge some of the more capable players. It’s the same thing I like to see on the men’s tour.
      
      These are the best of the best women in golf, I would just like to see them really challenged.
      
      Reply Report comment
    - Jack Gallagher
      
      Dec 20, 2017 at 12:34 pm
      
      If that were true, Andrew Pavlov, then there is every justification to play courses that are only 5,500 yards in length for the men, and 4,500 yards in length for the women. It would have an audience of one – Andrew Pavlov.
      
      Reply Report comment
MacAllan

Dec 19, 2017 at 3:36 pm

I’m a Swe golfer with hcp 5 and I have said this to my golf friends a long time ago, we have more to learn from LPGA than the PGA Tour.

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19th Hole

Vincenzi’s 2024 RBC Heritage betting preview: Patrick Cantlay ready to get back inside winner’s circle

Published

3 days ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

Just a two-hour drive from Augusta National, the PGA TOUR heads to Harbour Town Golf Links in Hilton Head Island, S.C. Hilton Head Island is a golfer’s paradise and Harbour Town is one of the most beautiful and scenic courses on the PGA TOUR.

Harbour Town Golf Links is a par-71 that measures 7,121 yards and features Bermuda grass greens. A Pete Dye design, the course is heavily tree lined and features small greens and many dog legs, protecting it from “bomb-and-gauge” type golfers.

The field is loaded this week with 69 golfers with no cut. Last year was quite possibly the best field in RBC Heritage history and the event this week is yet another designated event, meaning there is a $20 million prize pool.

Most of the big names on the PGA Tour will be in attendance this week with the exceptions of Hideki Matsuyama and Viktor Hovland. Additionally, Webb Simpson, Shane Lowry, Gary Woodland and Kevin Kisner have been granted sponsors exemptions.

Past Winners at Harbour Town

2023: Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)
2022: Jordan Spieth (-13)
2021: Stewart Cink (-19)
2020: Webb Simpson (-22)
2019: CT Pan (-12)
2018: Sotoshi Kodaira (-12)
2017: Wesley Bryan (-13)
2016: Branden Grace (-9)
2015: Jim Furyk (-18)

In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).

Key Stats For Harbour Town

Let’s take a look at key metrics for Harbour Town Golf Links to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their past 24 rounds.

Strokes Gained: Approach

Strokes Gained: Approach is exceedingly important this week. The greens at Harbour Town are about half the size of PGA TOUR average and feature the second-smallest greens on the tour. Typical of a Pete Dye design, golfers will pay the price for missed greens.

Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds

Scottie Scheffler (+1.27)
Tom Hoge (+1.27)
Corey Conners (+1.16)
Austin Eckroat (+0.95)
Cameron Young (+0.93)

Good Drive %

The fairways at Harbour Town are tree lined and feature many dog legs. Bombers tend to struggle at the course because it forces layups and doesn’t allow long drivers to overpower it. Accuracy is far more important than power.

Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds

Brice Garnett (88.8%)
Shane Lowry (+87.2%)
Akshay Bhatia (+86.0%)
Si Woo Kim (+85.8%)
Sepp Straka (+85.1%)

Strokes Gained: Total at Pete Dye Designs

Pete Dye specialists tend to play very well at Harbour Town. Si Woo Kim, Matt Kuchar, Jim Furyk and Webb Simpson are all Pete Dye specialists who have had great success here. It is likely we see some more specialists near the top of the leaderboard this week.

SG: TOT Pete Dye per round over past 36 rounds:

Xander Schauffele (+2.27)
Scottie Scheffler (+2.24)
Ludvig Aberg (+2.11)
Brian Harman (+1.89)
Sungjae Im (+1.58)

4. Strokes Gained: Short Game (Bermuda)

Strokes Gained: Short Game factors in both around the green and putting. With many green-side bunkers and tricky green complexes, both statistics will be important. Past winners — such as Jim Furyk, Wes Bryan and Webb Simpson — highlight how crucial the short game skill set is around Harbour Town.

SG: SG Over Past 24 Rounds

Jordan Spieth (+1.11)
Taylor Moore (+1.02)
Wyndham Clark (+0.98)
Mackenzie Hughes (+0.86)
Andrew Putnam (+0.83)

5. Greens in Regulation %

The recipe for success at Harbour Town Golf Links is hitting fairways and greens. Missing either will prove to be consequential — golfers must be in total control of the ball to win.

Greens in Regulation % over past 24 rounds:

Brice Garnett (+75.0%)
Scottie Scheffler (+69.9%)
Corey Conners (+69.0%)
Shane Lowry (+68.3%)
Patrick Rodgers (+67.6%)

6. Course History

Harbour Town is a course where players who have strong past results at the course always tend to pop up.

Course History over past 24 rounds:

Patrick Cantlay (+2.34)
Cam Davis (+2.05)
J.T. Poston (+1.69)
Justin Rose (+1.68)
Tommy Fleetwood (+1.59)

The RBC Heritage Model Rankings

Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (24%), Good Drives (20%), SG: SG (14%), SG: Pete Dye (14%), GIR (14%), and Course History (14%)

Shane Lowry
Russell Henley
Scottie Scheffler
Xander Schauffele
Corey Conners
Wyndham Clark
Christiaan Bezuidenhout
Matt Fitzpatrick
Cameron Young
Ludvig Aberg

2024 RBC Heritage Picks

Patrick Cantlay +2000 (FanDuel)

With the exception of Scottie Scheffler, the PGA Tour has yet to have any of their star players show peak form during the 2024 season. Last week, Patrick Cantlay, who I believe is a top-5 players on the PGA Tour, took one step closer to regaining the form that’s helped him win eight events on Tour since 2017.

Cantlay limped into the Masters in poor form, but figured it out at Augusta National, finishing in a tie for 20th and ranking 17th for the week in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. The former FedEx Cup champion will now head to one of his favorite golf courses in Harbour Town, where he’s had immaculate results over the years. In his six trips to the course, he’s only finished worse than 7th one time. The other finishes include three third places (2017, 2019, 2023) and one runner-up finish (2022). In his past 36 rounds at Harbour Town, Cantlay ranks 1st in Strokes Gained: Total per round at the course by a wide margin (+2.36).

Cantlay is winless since the 2022 BMW Championship, which is far too long for a player of his caliber. With signs pointing to the 32-year-old returning to form, a “signature event” at Harbour Town is just what he needs to get back on the winning track.

Tommy Fleetwood +3000 (FanDuel)

I truly believe Tommy Fleetwood will figure out a way to win on American soil in 2024. It’s certainly been a bugaboo for him throughout his career, but he is simply too talented to go another season without winning a PGA Tour event.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, Fleetwood made a Sunday charge and ended up finishing T3 in the event, which was his best ever finish at The Masters. For the week, the Englishman ranked 8th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 10th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking and 16th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is a perfect layout for Fleetwood, and he’s had relative success at this Pete Dye design in the past. In his four trips to the course, he’s finished inside of the top 25 three times, with his best finish, T10, coming in 2022. The course is pretty short and can’t be overpowered, which gives an advantage to more accurate players such as Fleetwood. Tommy ranks 8th in the field in Good Drive % and should be able to plot his way along this golf course.

The win is coming for Tommy lad. I believe there’s a chance this treasure of a golf course may be the perfect one for him to finally break through on Tour.

Cameron Young +3300 (FanDuel)

Cameron Young had a solid Masters Tournament last week, which is exactly what I’m looking for in players who I anticipate playing well this week at the RBC Heritage. He finished in a tie for 9th, but never felt the pressure of contending in the event. For the week, Young ranked 6th in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Despite being one of the longest players off the tee on the PGA Tour, Young has actually played some really good golf on shorter tracks. He finished T3 at Harbour Town in 2023 and ranks 20th in the field in Good Drive% and 16th in Greens in Regulation in his past 24 rounds. He also has strong finishes at other shorter courses that can take driver out of a players hand such as Copperhead and PGA National.

Young is simply one of the best players on the PGA Tour in 2024, and I strongly believe has what it takes to win a PGA Tour event in the very near future.

Corey Conners +5500 (FanDuel)

Corey Conners has had a disappointing year thus far on the PGA Tour, but absolutely loves Harbour Town.

At last week’s Masters Tournament, the Canadian finished T30 but ranked 20th in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. In his past 24 rounds, Conners ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach, 3rd in Greens in Regulation % and 24th in Good Drive %.

In Conners’ last four trips to Harbour Town, his worst finish was T31, last season. He finished T4 in 2021, T12 in 2022 and ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Total at the course over his past 36 rounds.

Conners hasn’t been contending, but his recent finishes have been encouraging as he has finished in the top-25 in each of his past three starts prior to The Masters, including an impressive T13 at The PLAYERS. His recent improvement in ball striking as well as his suitability for Harbour Town makes Conners a high upside bet this week.

Shane Lowry (+7500) (FanDuel)

When these odds were posted after Lowry was announced in the field, I have to admit I was pretty stunned. Despite not offering much win equity on the PGA Tour over the last handful of years, Shane Lowry is still a top caliber player who has the ability to rise to the top of a signature event.

Lowry struggled to score at The Masters last week, but he actually hit the ball really well. The Irishman ranked 1st for Strokes Gained: Approach on the week and 7th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. As usual, it was the putter that let him down, as he ranked 60th in the field in Strokes Gained: Putting.

Harbour Town is most definitely one of Lowry’s favorite courses on the PGA Tour. In his six starts there, he’s finished in the top 10 three times, including third twice. Lowry is sensational at Pete Dye designs and ranks 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in his past 36 rounds on Dye tracks.

Lowry is perfect for Harbour Town. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 5th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 2nd in Good Drive% and 5th in Green in Regulation %. If he figures it out on the greens, Shane could have his first win in America since 2015.

Lucas Glover +12000 (FanDuel)

This is one of my weekly “bet the number” plays as I strongly believe the odds are just too long for a player of Glover’s caliber. The odds have been too long on Glover for a few weeks now, but this is the first event that I can get behind the veteran being able to actually contend at.

Glover is quietly playing good golf and returning to the form he had after the understandable regression after his two massive victories at the end of 2023. He finished T20 at The Masters, which was his best ever finish at Augusta National. For the week, Lucas ranked 18th for Strokes Gained: Approach and 20th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking.

Over his past 24 rounds, Glover ranks 9th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 13th in Good Drive %. Harbour Town is a short course that the 44-year-old will be able to keep up with the top players on Tour off the tee. He’s played the course more than 20 times, with mixed results. His best finishes at Harbour Town include a T7 in 2008, but recently has a finish of T21 in 2020.

Glover has proven he can contend with the stars of the Tour on any given week, and this number is flat out disrespectful.

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Vincenzi: The 6 biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters

Published

3 days ago

Apr 15, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

The 2024 Masters offered up plenty of excitement throughout the week with Scottie Scheffler delivering when it mattered to live up to his pre-tournament favorite tag. With the year’s opening major now in the books, here are my six biggest takeaways from the 2024 Masters.

Scheffler In a League of His Own

In the most impressive way possible, Scottie Scheffler won the Masters without having his absolute best stuff. For the week, Scottie ranked 19th in Strokes Gained: Approach, which is a category the number player in the world typically dusts the rest of the field in. After a strong approach day on Thursday, the 27-year-old lost strokes to the field on approach on Friday and Saturday, before gaining on Sunday. The iron performance was more than solid, but it was an all-around game that helped Scheffler get it done around Augusta National.

For a year or more, the narrative around Scheffler has been, “With his ball striking, if he can just putt to field average, he’ll be unbeatable.” At Augusta, his ball striking came back down to earth, but his touch around the greens and ability to manage the golf course demonstrated why he is the best player on the planet right now. For the week, Scheffler ranked 1st in the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 24th in Strokes Gained: Putting.

For the time being, there is a major gap between Scottie Scheffler and the second-best player in the world, whoever that may be.

The Future is Now

Ludvig Aberg went into his first back-nine at the Masters with a legitimate shot to win the tournament. When he teed it up on the treacherous 11th hole, he was one behind Scottie Scheffler, who had just stuck one to a few feet on the 9th. By the time he approached his tee shot, which was perfectly striped down the left side of the fairway, he was two behind. Unfortunately, the 24-year-old got too aggressive with his approach at the 11th and found the water, making double bogey. Ludvig rebounded nicely and finished the event in solo second place.

With the Masters now in the rearview, it’s never been more evident that Ludvig Aberg is no longer an “up-and-comer” — he has arrived. The Swede has been an integral part of a winning European Ryder Cup team and has now contended at Augusta National. With a calm demeanor, a picture-perfect swing, and a build and stature that appears as if it was built in a lab, Ludvig Aberg is already amongst the world’s best. I’d be extremely surprised if he wasn’t in the mix at next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.

Nostalgia Wins

I try to avoid as many cliches as possible, but there’s something about the Masters that brings out the sentimentality in me. Tiger Woods strategically making his way around Augusta National without all of the physical tools that made him arguably the most dominant athlete in the history of sports will always be riveting, regardless of what score he shoots. Woods made it interesting until a tough stretch of holes on Saturday, but he ultimately wore down, shooting 16 over for the week in difficult conditions. It’s remarkable that the 15-time major champion was able to put together a few solid rounds of golf despite barely playing any competitive golf in 2024. As long as Woods tees it up at Augusta, we will all continue to be mesmerized by it.

Verne Lundquist’s 40th and final Masters Tournament was also a must-watch aspect of the event. The iconic voice of Lundquist and his calls throughout the years still give me chills each time I hear them. Verne is an icon of the game and will be missed in future renditions of the Masters.

The Masters also brings another element that is unique to the tournament. Former champions turn back the clock to battle with the golf course again which creates some amazing stories. There are a few that stick out this year and were an absolute pleasure to witness. 61-year-old Vijay Singh made the cut for the first time since 2018 and shot a pretty incredible even-par, 72 on Sunday. 58-year-old José María Olazábal made the cut as well, reminding us why fellow Spaniard Jon Rahm sought his valuable advice prior to his Masters victory in 2022.

Regardless of who wins, the Masters always delivers.

Bryson Moves the Needle

Plenty will disagree with me on this point, but outside of Tiger Woods, and potentially Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth, no one moves the needle in golf as much as Bryson DeChambeau. The uniqueness in which Bryson approaches the game has always been fascinating, and if he gets near the top of the leaderboard at any major championship, whether it’s to root for him or against him, people are interested.

It began on Monday with a pretty bizarre story of DeChambeau using 3D-printed irons that got just got cleared for use by the USGA when the week began. It once again felt like a storyline that would only be possible with a character as eccentric as Bryson. He then raced off to a first-round lead in tough conditions, reminding the world of what made him such a great golfer to begin with. He made some mistakes on the weekend, but still finished a career best T6 at The Masters.

Bryson is more than just quirky; he is a former U.S. Amateur Champion and U.S. Open who I believe will contend for more majors in the future. I will continue to root for DeChambeau, but I’m perfectly content with the fact that plenty will root against him, and I encourage those people to do so. That’s what makes it fun.

LIV Walks Away Empty-Handed

Last year, there were a multitude of questions about LIV players coming into the year’s first major. They had played very limited tournament golf, and critics of LIV questioned whether the 54-hole events were enough to sharpen the players enough to compete against the best in the world on the biggest stage.

The results were fascinating, with LIV players all over the leaderboard. Brooks Koepka held the 36- and 54-hole lead, with Phil Mickelson and Patrick Reed finishing T2 and T4, giving LIV three golfers in the top-4 of the leaderboard.

This season, with even more time removed and with some more massive additions to the roster, the intrigue surrounding LIV players at Augusta was once again palpable. While some players, including Bryson DeChambeau, exceeded expectations, I can’t help but walk away from the Masters feeling underwhelmed by the performance of the LIV players.

Brooks Koepka finished runner-up last season and is a certified major championship killer. The 5-time major champ was never involved and simply didn’t have it at Augusta. Dustin Johnson put together a putrid performance, shooting 13 over for his two rounds, making it fair to wonder if his days of contending at major championships are over as he rapidly approaches his 40th birthday.

Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann were both players who were amongst the favorites this week, but Rahm was faced with the daunting duties of defending champion and Niemann proved he was still not quite ready to master the quirks of Augusta National, bleeding strokes both around and on the greens.

To be fair, when all was said and done, LIV had four players in the top twelve at The Masters. Tyrrell Hatton stormed the leaderboard early on Sunday, finishing T9 and earning himself an invite back to Augusta next season. Cam Smith and Patrick Reed put together gritty performances, which isn’t too surprising considering the fact that they both absolutely love Augusta National, but neither ever felt a real threat to win. There’s no doubt the players on LIV are good, and that’s why some encouraging leaderboard positions aren’t enough. They needed to contend.

With no players part of the storyline on Sunday, I view the first major of the year as a disappointment for LIV. The players will head into next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla with a lot to prove.

Rory’s Struggles Continues

Rory struggling at Augusta National is no surprise at this point. The four-time major champion has now had 10 attempts to complete the career grand slam and has never had a chance to win. His T2 in 2022 was deceiving, the Northern Irishman stormed the leaderboard on Sunday, but was never in contention, and never got within three shots of the winner, Scottie Scheffler.

I didn’t expect Rory to win, but I have to admit that this year felt a bit different. McIlroy played the week prior to the Masters, which he typically doesn’t do, and finished third at the Valero Texas Open. He gained 7.56 strokes on approach and 2.0 strokes off the tee, which told me that his visit with world-renowned swing coach, Butch Harmon, after the Players Championship paid dividends.

McIlroy also approached the media quite differently. He cut his pre-tournament press conference short after only 10 minutes and seemed to be laser-focused on just playing golf.

Despite the different approach to the Masters, the results were the same. McIlroy struggled over the course of the week, finishing T22 (+4) and never sniffed a decent weekend position on the leaderboard. It’s back to the drawing board for McIlroy, and I have doubts that he will ever figure it out at Augusta.

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Vincenzi: The 8 best prop bets for the 2024 Masters

Published

1 week ago

Apr 9, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

We’ve finally reached The Masters and excitement is at an all-time high. The world of golf has been fractured for the better part of two years, but for a week at Augusta National, all of the outside noise will disappear. All of the best players in the world will be together seeking to make history.

RELATED: Vincenzi’s 2024 Masters betting preview: Niemann to play star role at Augusta National

In addition to betting on The Masters champion. This is one of the few weeks of the year where there are so many more markets to explore, with value to be had in plenty of different categories.

Throughout this article, I’ll discuss all of my favorite props and players for the 2024 Masters.

Placement Bets:

Tony Finau Top 5 +750 (DraftKings):

I badly wanted to include Tony Finau in my outright betting selections, but I simply ran out of room on my card. Additionally, it’s slightly difficult to see him hitting the putts necessary to win the Masters on back nine on Sunday. However, I do strongly believe he will play great golf this week at Augusta National.

In his past 24 rounds, Finau ranks 4th in Strokes Gained: Approach is always amongst the best drivers of the golf ball in the game. Back in 2019, Finau had a great chance to win The Masters. I expect him to be hanging around over the weekend once again in 2024.

Gary Woodland Top 20 +550 (DraftKings), Gary Woodland to make the cut -110 (DraftKings):

Last season, Gary Woodland had his best ever finish at The Masters in his eleven tries. The 39-year-old finished T14 and played incredibly steady across all four rounds.

In Woodland’s most recent start at the Texas Children’s Houston Open, he struck the ball incredibly well. He led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach (+8.8) and Strokes Gained: Ball Striking (+10.0).

Gary has been working with Butch Harmon and absolutely flushing the ball both in tournaments and during practice.

Woodland appears to be healthy once again and in a great place physically and mentally. If he can build off his impressive performance at Augusta last year, he can place inside the top ten in 2024.

Additionally, the make the cut number on Woodland seems generous considering the number of players who miss the cut will be relatively small this week. Woodland is striking it well enough to make the cut even if he’s hindered by a balky putter once again.

Thorbjorn Olesen Top 20 +400 (FanDuel):

The Thunder Bear, Thorbjorn Olesen, made his Masters debut in 2013 and finished an incredibly impressive T6 for the week. In the two additional starts he’s made at Augusta National since then, the Dane has continued to be incredibly solid, finishing T44 and T21.

This week, Olesen heads into the week playing some good golf. He gained 3.8 strokes on approach and 5.52 strokes around the green at last week’s Valero Texas Open on his way to a strong T14 finish. Back in January, he won the Ras Al Khaimah Championship on the DP World Tour.

Olesen has the skill set to be successful at Augusta and seems primed for a good performance this week.

Top Nationalities:

Sergio Garcia Top Spanish Player +280 (DraftKings):

I believe Sergio Garcia can get into contention this week with the way he’s striking the ball in addition to his good vibes with a refurbished version of the Scotty Cameron that he used at the 1999 PGA Championship at Medinah.

I am slightly concerned about the emotional letdown he may face after losing in a playoff at LIV Miami, but I believe a veteran and former Masters champion should be able to regroup and focus on an event far more meaningful.

This is essentially a tournament head-to-head with Jon Rahm at +280. While Rahm deserves to be respected this week, the history of the lack of success of defending champions at The Masters is difficult to ignore.

Joaquin Niemann Top South American Player -230 (FanDuel):

While I hate paying this much juice, I don’t see a world in which Joaquin Niemann isn’t the top South American this week at The Masters. Joaco comes in playing better golf than anyone in the world not named Scottie Scheffler and has a serious chance to win the green jacket.

He only needs to beat two players: Emiliano Grillo and Camilo Villegas.

Tournament Head-to-Heads:

Justin Thomas -110 over Collin Morikawa

JT isn’t having his best season but is playing a lot better than he is getting credit for at the moment. In the past three months, there are only six players on the PGA Tour who have averaged 1.7 Strokes Gained: Tee to Green or better. Justin Thomas (+1.7) is one of the six and is currently tied with Rory McIlroy (+1.7).

Morikawa, on the other hand, has been extremely poor with his irons, which is incredibly uncharacteristic for him. I can’t help but feel like something is completely off with the two-time major champion.

Tony Finau -110 over Wyndham Clark

I explained in the placement section why I’m so high on Tony Finau this week. With how well he’s striking the ball, it seems as if his floor is extremely high. I’m not sure if he can make the putts to win a green jacket but I believe he will be in the mix similarly to 2019 when Tiger Woods emerged from a crowded pack of contenders.

Clark is a debutant, and while some debutants have had success at The Masters, it certainly poses a challenge. I also don’t believe Augusta National suits Clark as well as some of the other major championship venues.

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